Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said on Thursday he continues to believe the U.S. central bank should cut interest rates at the end of this month amid mounting risks to the economy and the strong likelihood that tariff-induced inflation will not drive a persistent rise in price pressures. "It makes sense to cut the FOMC's policy rate by 25 basis points two weeks from now," Waller told a gathering of the Money Marketeers of New York University. "I see the hard and soft data on economic activity and the labor market as consistent: The economy is still growing, but its momentum...
Both the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 slipped 0.2% on Wednesday, retreating from nearly two-month highs reached the previous day, as traders awaited new catalysts amid concerns over stalled trade talks, weak economic data, and corporate earnings. Markets are closely watching the ongoing G7 finance ministers' meeting for any signals that a weaker dollar could support progress in trade negotiations. In the UK, inflation rose to 3.5%, prompting investors to scale back expectations for Bank of England rate cuts. On the corporate front, JD Sports shares plunged over 7% after reporting a 2% drop in...
The Nikkei 225 fell 214 points or 0.6% to close at 37,315 on Wednesday, following small gains in the previous session. Meanwhile, the broader Topix index slipped 0.3%, giving up early gains. These declines followed fresh trade data showing Japan's exports grew at the slowest pace in seven months in April, as rising U.S. tariffs began to weigh. Exports to the U.S. fell for the first time in four months, driven by weaker demand for automobiles, steel, and ships. According to the Nikkei newspaper, lead trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa is set to visit the U.S. on Friday for a third round of...
Hong Kong stocks rose 124 points or 0.5% to a seven-week high of 23,806 in early trade Wednesday, extending gains from the previous session as most sectors advanced. Sentiment continued to be supported by China's central bank cutting key lending rates for the first time in seven months to support growth and ease trade-related risks. Major state banks in the mainland also lowered deposit rates to relieve pressure from narrowing interest margins. However, gains were somewhat limited by a rise in the city's jobless rate to 3.4% in the three months ending April its highest in over two years...
The Nikkei 225 slipped 76 points or 0.2% to 37,454 in Wednesday's morning session, retreating from a modest gain the previous day as investors digested Japan's latest trade figures. Exports rose 2.0% year-on-year in April, marking the slowest growth in seven months amid mounting pressure from rising U.S. tariffs. Meanwhile, imports fell less than expected, reflecting Tokyo's efforts to support domestic demand in the face of trade uncertainty. Japan's chief trade negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, reaffirmed the country's demand for the removal of U.S. tariffs, with the third round of trade talks...
Asia-Pacific markets traded mostly higher Wednesday after Wall Street halted its six-day win streak. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 slipped 0.23% after the country reported that exports slowed for a second straight month as the country reels under U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs. South Korea's Kospi limbed 0.58% while the small-cap Kosdaq traded 0.95% higher. Australia's benchmark S&P/ASX 200 climbed 0.43%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 0.45% at the open, while mainland China's CSI 300 traded flat. The Bank of Indonesia is also slated to release its policy decision...
According to a statement by the Federal Reserve (Fed), Fed Chair Jerome Powell met with United States (US) President Donald Trump on Thursday, where the head of the Fed reiterated that the Fed's...
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) maintained its cash rate at 4.1% during its April meeting, holding borrowing costs unchanged after slashing 25 bps in the February meeting, aligning with market...